Grad Attack on Ashkelon

Terrorists fire two Grad-style rockets at Israel; one intercepted by Iron Dome, one explodes in open field; no physical injuries reported.

Contact Editor

Gabe Kahn, 24/07/12 20:29

Iron Dome in action (file)

Israel news photo: Flash 90

After weeks of relative calm, Ashkelon came yet again under rocket attack on Tuesday.

Two Grad-style rockets were fired by terrorists in northern Gaza at the southern Israeli city.

One rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile shield, while the other exploded in an open field.

Iron Dome only engages those rockets it determines are headed for populated areas, while ignoring others.

No physical injuries or property damage was reported in Tuesday's attack.

The IDF has yet to respond to the attack, nor has any terror group claimed responsibility at this time.

However, a military spokesperson said Gaza's Hamas rulers bear ultimate responsibility for all attacks originating from the coastal enclave.

Between 2001 and January 2009, over 8,600 rockets were launched, leading to 28 deaths and several hundred injuries, as well as widespread psychological trauma and disruption of daily life.

Since Israel's Operation Cast Led in 2008-2009 an estimated 1,964 rocket and mortar attacks have been launched on Israeli communities from Gaza, with four fatalities and scores of injuries recorded.

Some 15,000 Israelis in Israel's south have been diagnosed with post-tramatic stress disorder, as well.

Critics of Israel's airstrike-for-rocket-attacks strategic paradigm vis-a-vis Gaza has only served to perpetuate the poor security situation in Israel's south.

For months since a deadly escalation from rocket fire earlier this year. senior security and military officials have deliberated whether or not to enter Gaza to root out the terror infrastructure there.

Over one million Israelis live under threat from Gaza's rocket stockpiles.